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Trading standards officer
TSO
Trading standards officers (TSOs) protect consumers and businesses by promoting a safe and fair trading environment.
Average salary (a year)
£19000
Starter
£50000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
attending events or appointments
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role; applying directly
University
You can become a trading standards officer with a degree in any subject.
If you get a degree in law or consumer protection, you will not need to do some of the professional examinations. You can find out more from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Some local authorities might sponsor you to do a degree in consumer protection. This means that you'll get work experience whilst you study. It could also lead to a job after you graduate.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You could do a Trading Standards Professional Level 6 Higher Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could start as an enforcement officer with a local authority and apply to join a trading standards training programme. Your employer would support you to qualify through training.
Direct Application
You could apply for a trainee trading standards officer role with a local authority. You could then study towards professional qualifications on the job, and work your way up to trading standards officer.
You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths. Some authorities might also want you to have 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.
More Information
Career Tips
You'll find it useful to have experience of legal, retail or advice work.
Some local councils might offer work experience or internships in trading standards in departments like environmental health.
Further Information
You can find out more about working and training in trading standards through the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Persistence and determination
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Analytical thinking skills
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    Knowledge of english language
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Excellent verbal communication skills
    Thinking and reasoning skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Related Restrictions
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As a trading standards officer, you could
do routine checks or look into complaints on local traders and businesses, sometimes through undercover or surveillance work, take samples for testing and find unsafe electrical items, make sure labels are correct and not misleading, check the accuracy of drink measures and weighing scales, prepare evidence and go to court in prosecution cases, advise people about the law, give talks, write reports and keep records
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a client's business or in a court.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Your working environment may be at height, outdoors some of the time, cramped, dirty and noisy.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could become a senior trading standards officer or manager.
You could also move into private consultancy work.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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